VALENCIA, ONE MORE GOAL TO REACH On Sunday, 6th November a packed “stadium” will salute the last appointment of the 2005 season, a championship of breathtaking races which saw the riders of the team Movistar Honda amongst the absolute protagonists. Marco Melandri, fresh with his victory in Turkey where he won his first MotoGP race, brought himself back to second place in the championship with 9 points between him and the American Nicky Hayden. The Italian rider will do everything possible to defend this position. The title of Vice World Champion would not only confirm the already excellent results obtained until now, but add value to an excellent rider and reconfirm the excellence of a team who in the last years imposed himself amongst some of the best teams in the MotoGP world. Thanks to the two Vice World Champion titles obtained by the other team rider, Sete Gibernau in 2003 and 2004, the team lead by Fausto Gresini once again reconfirms itself at the top of the Championship standing. There is a lot of suspense surrounding Sete Gibernau as he is aiming to close this difficult and complicated season with a fantastic result. A season in which the Spanish rider couldn’t demonstrate his full potential. In front of his fans, Sete is ready to put on a breathtaking and spectacular race, and we bet that we won’t be let down. SETE GIBERNAU- THE FEELING OF BEING AT HOME “Valencia has a completely unique atmosphere as it is the last race of the season. We all arrive here tired, but with a lot of desire to give to our Spanish fans a great result” comments Sete Gibernau, who conquered on this track his first victory in MotoGP in 2001. “It is a strange little track where the tyres become extra important as you are in and out of turns all the time. You need to setup the bike thinking of the entire lap because there aren’t really quick areas which can make the difference. The track requires a clean ride, every single corner becomes important to gain important tenths of a second and these tenths all put together can really make a difference. The front tyre is a key element to take on the sequence of tight corners which characterize this Ricardo Tormo track. On the straight you are back on the gas in order to take advantage of the 876 meters which launche you onto the next corner. Here the traction which you can get from your rear tyre is essential. There are different areas where you can overtake, the best one I think is the entry of the second corner while my favourite part is the last corner. As in every track, here the package is complete: you need a rideable engine, well-balanced suspension and plenty of grip and traction.” After an expectant, which didn’t produce the awaited results, the Spanish rider of the team Movistar Honda, always quick, wasn’t able to pick up the desired points. Sete looks with optimism to his home race, on a track which he is particularly fond of. On this track in fact, Sete conquered his first victory in 500cc, the last victory for a Spanish rider in this category. “After a very difficult season, in which I learned a lot, I would like to end this championship with a good result and I am happy to do this in Valencia, a home track where I will have all the support of my fans. To race the last round of the season in Spain is an extra motivation. I would like to give a gift to all those fans who follow my races and in particular to my fan club who always stood by me, even during this particularly difficult year. A gift to my team as well, who always did a fantastic job and who I would like to thank with a great finale.” MARCO MELANDRI – READY FOR THE CHALLENGE His first dream came true two Sundays ago on the track of Istanbul where Marco conquered his first MotoGP victory. Author of a perfect race, where he! rode impeccably the entire time, he cut the finish line 1 and a half seconds before the world champion, Valentino Rossi. Marco now has one more goal to complete. With 5 podiums and one victory Marco has now re-secured his second place standing in the championship and he hopes to confirm this in Valencia. “The title of Vice World Champion was only a dream at the beginning of the season, now it is a real goal to reach” comments Melandri the day after his triumph in Istanbul. The verdict will arrive in Valencia, a track which Marco likes and where he has already won in 2002, the year he won the championship title in 250cc. “Valencia is a beautiful track, not very quick but all to ride. I already had the chance to ride on this track with my RC211V last year during a test at the end of November. I immediately found a good feeling with the bike and with the track. This allowed me to find a quick pace right from the start. Now we get to V! alencia in very different conditions. After a year of experience on the Honda RC211V, 5 podiums and 1 win, a second place standing in the championship is a tangible goal to reach. I now believe in the possibility of being Vice World Champion. It would be a dream come true at the end of a great season, the best possible way to thank Fausto Gresini who believed in me, for the team who followed me in everything, for Honda and Michelin. I need to think about the championship during this Valencia GP.” THE MAN OF RECORDSMarco Melandri was born in Ravenna on June 7th 1982. He starts to race at the tender age of eight. Honda test rider in ’95 and in ’97 he debuts in 125. The youngest winner ever at only 15 years and 324 days, he wins in Assen in 1998 in the 125 class. World Champion again in 250 cc class in 2002 and once again the youngest ever and 20 years and 74 days (until the win of Pedrosa). In 2003 he debuts in MotoGp. With 23 years under his belt he ! can already boast 120 gp’s, 18 victories, 50 podiums and 9 pole positions. Marco can also boast the fact he is one of the few riders who have won in all three classes, 125, 250 and MotoGP. The others are: Valentino Rossi, Loris Capirossi, Luca Cadalora, Mike Hailwood, Phil Read and Chas Mortimer. THE TRACK Circuit: Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Built: 1999 Last modified: 1999 Length: 4.005 meters Width: 12 meters Pole position: right Right corners: 5 Left corners: 9 Longest straight: 876 meters RECORD: Track record: 2003 Rossi (Honda) 1’33″317 Pole position: 2003 Rossi (Honda) 1’32″478 2004 Race: 1° Rossi (Yamaha) 2° Biaggi (Honda) 3° Bayliss (Ducati)